CN106974415B

CN106974415B - Hand-held appliance

Info

Publication number: CN106974415B
Application number: CN201610922127.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B.C.博比里尔; F.A.豪
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-21
Filing date: 2016-10-21
Publication date: 2020-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-21
Also published as: GB2543537B; US10021951B2; CN106974415A; CN206651501U; EP3364816A1; AU2016342539A1; US20170112257A1; RU2694921C1; GB2543537A; AU2016342539B2; KR20180072754A; WO2017068321A1; JP2017077471A; EP3364816B1; JP6453829B2; KR102102243B1; GB201518643D0

Abstract

A hair dryer is disclosed comprising an ionization system and a heater, wherein the ionization system comprises an ion generating electrode, and the ion generating electrode extends along an outer periphery of the heater. The ion generating electrode may extend along the heater to a downstream end portion of the heater. The ion generating electrode may extend along the heater from an upstream end portion of the heater. The heater may be generally cylindrical and the ion generating electrode extends along a radially outer surface of the heater. The ion generating electrode may have a first portion extending along a first axis and the first portion extending along an outer periphery of the heater. The ion generating electrode may have a second portion extending along the second axis, and the second portion extends radially inward from an outer periphery of the heater.

Description

Hand-held appliance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hand-held appliance, in particular a hair care appliance, such as a hair dryer.

Background

Typically, a motor and fan are provided which draw fluid into the body; the fluid may be heated before exiting the body. Motors are prone to damage from foreign objects such as dirt or hair and therefore filters are often provided at the fluid inlet of the hair dryer. The fan and heater require power to function and this is provided by internal wiring from the mains power cable or a battery attached to the appliance.

Often, hair dryers are provided with an ionizer. The ionizer is either permanently on or activated by a control switch. Typically, the ionizer is positioned in the air stream so that the generated ions are expelled toward the hair.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention discloses a hair dryer comprising an ionisation system and a heater, wherein the ionisation system comprises an ion generating electrode and the ion generating electrode extends along an outer periphery of the heater.

By directing the ionizer around the outer periphery of the heater, the effect of the ionizer on the fluid flowing through the heater is minimized.

Preferably, the ion generating electrode extends along the heater to a downstream end portion of the heater.

Preferably, the ion generating electrode extends along the heater from an upstream end portion of the heater.

Preferably, the heater is generally cylindrical and the ion generating electrode extends along a radially outer surface of the heater.

Preferably, the ion generating electrode has a first portion extending along the first axis and the first portion extends along an outer periphery of the heater.

Preferably, the ion generating electrode has a second portion extending along the second axis, and the second portion extends radially inward from the outer periphery of the heater.

Although the major portion of the ion generating motor remains remote from the main fluid flow flowing through the heater, it is advantageous that ions be emitted into the fluid as they are carried to the hair being styled or dried.

Preferably, the second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis.

Preferably, the heater is surrounded by a wall and the ion generating electrode extends along an outer periphery of the wall.

Preferably, the ionization system includes an ionizer, and the ion generating electrode includes a high voltage wire extending from the ionizer.

Preferably, the ion generating electrode comprises a flat conductive needle. This is advantageous when the space around the periphery of the heater is limited.

Preferably, the ionization system includes an ionizer, and the ion generating electrode includes a high voltage wire extending from the ionizer; a flat conductive pin; and a connector for connecting the flat conductive pin to a high voltage wire.

Preferably, the connector is positioned at or near the upstream end of the heater.

Preferably, the heater is surrounded by a wall and the connector is positioned at or near an upstream end of the heater.

Preferably, the hairdryer further comprises an inner wall adapted to hold the downstream end of the heater in place in the hairdryer, wherein the inner wall comprises a recess for receiving the ion generating electrode. This ensures reliable positioning of the ionizer relative to the heater and other components within the body of the hairdryer.

Preferably, the inner wall comprises an aperture through which the ionizing pin protrudes.

Preferably, the ion generating electrode includes a first portion extending along the first axis and a first portion extending along the heater to the recess in the interior.

Preferably, the ionizing pin has a second portion, wherein the second portion extends radially inward from the outer periphery and the inner wall of the heater through the aperture.

Preferably, the first and second portions are formed by flat conductive pins.

Preferably, the third part comprises a high voltage wire.

Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a hairdryer in which a motor mount according to the present invention may be used;

figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the hairdryer of figure 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an ionization system according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the ionization system of FIG. 3 in position relative to the heater;

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of the ionization system of FIG. 3 in position relative to the internal components of the hairdryer of FIG. 1; and

figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the body of the hairdryer showing the ionizer.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 and 2 show a hair dryer 10, the hair dryer 10 having a handle 20 and a body 30. The handle has a first end 22 connected to the body 30 and a second end 24 remote from the body 30 and comprising a primary fluid inlet 40. Power is supplied to the hairdryer 10 through the cable 50. At the distal end of the cable 50 remote from the hairdryer 10 there is provided a plug (not shown) which may provide an electrical connection to, for example, a mains power supply or to a battery pack.

The handle 20 has an outer wall 200 that extends from the body 30 toward the distal end 24 of the handle. At the distal end 24 of the handle, an end wall 210 extends across the outer wall 200. The cable 50 enters the hairdryer through this end wall 210. The primary fluid inlet 40 in the handle 20 includes a first aperture 42 extending around and along the outer wall 20 of the handle in a series of rows and columns extending from the distal end 24 of the handle 20, and a second aperture 46 extending across and through the end wall 210 of the handle 20. The cable 50 is disposed generally in the middle of the end wall 210 and thus extends from the center of the handle 20. The handle 20 has a longitudinal axis X-X along which the outer wall 200 extends from the body 30 towards the distal end 24.

Preferably, the cable 50 extends centrally from the handle, as this means that the hairdryer is balanced regardless of the orientation of the handle 20 in the user's hand. Also, if the user moves the position of their hand on the handle 20, there will be no pull from the cable 50 because the cable does not change position with respect to the hand as the hand moves. If the cable is offset and closer to one side of the handle, the weight distribution of the hairdryer will change with orientation, which can be distracting to the user.

Upstream of the primary fluid inlet 40 a fan unit 70 is provided. The fan unit 70 includes a fan and a motor. The fan unit 70 draws fluid through the primary fluid inlet 40 towards the body 30 through a primary fluid flow path 400 extending from the primary fluid inlet 40 and into the body 30 at the location 90 where the handle 20 and body 30 are joined. The body 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34, and the primary fluid flow path 400 continues through the body 30 toward the second end 34 of the body, around the heater 80 and to a primary fluid outlet 440 where fluid drawn through the fan unit exits the primary fluid flow path 400. The primary fluid flow path 400 is non-linear and flows in a first direction through the handle 20 and in a second direction through the body 30, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

The body 30 includes an outer wall 360 and an inner conduit 310. The primary fluid flow path 400 extends along the body from the connection point 90 of the handle 20 and the body 30 between the outer wall 360 and the inner conduit 310 towards the primary fluid outlet 440 at the second end 34 of the body 30.

The inner wall 260 extends within the outer wall 360. The inner wall 260 at least partially defines the primary fluid outlet 440 and extends from the second end 34 of the body 30, between the inner conduit 310 and the outer wall 360.

Another fluid flow path is provided within the body; this flow is not directly handled by the fan unit or heater but is drawn into the dryer by the action of the fan unit creating a primary fluid which passes through the dryer. This fluid flow is entrained into the hairdryer by the fluid flowing through the primary fluid flow path 400.

The first end 32 of the body includes a fluid inlet 320 and the second end 34 of the body includes a fluid outlet 340. Both the fluid inlet 320 and the fluid outlet 340 are at least partially defined by the inner conduit 310, which is an inner wall of the body 30 and extends within and along the body. The fluid flow path 300 extends within the inner conduit 310 from a fluid inlet 320 to a fluid outlet 340. At the first end 32 of the body 30, a sidewall 350 extends between the outer wall 360 and the inner conduit 310. This sidewall 350 at least partially defines the fluid inlet 320. The primary fluid outlet 440 is annular and surrounds the fluid flow path.

The PCB 75 includes control electronics for the hairdryer positioned within the body 30 proximate the side wall 350 and the fluid inlet 320. The PCB 75 is annular in shape and extends around the inner tube 310 between the inner tube 310 and the outer wall 360. The PCB 75 is in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path 400. The PCB 75 extends around the fluid flow path 300 and is isolated from the fluid flow path 300 by an inner conduit 310.

The PCB 75 controls parameters such as the temperature of the heater 80 and the rotational speed of the fan unit 70. Internal wiring (not shown) electrically connects the PCB 75 to the heater 80 and the fan unit 70 and the cable 50.

Control buttons

62, 64 are provided and connected to the PCB 75 to enable a user to select, for example, from a range of temperature settings and flow rates.

Downstream of the PCB 75 is the heater 80 with a PCB baffle 700 disposed therebetween. The PCB shield provides thermal protection for the PCB 75 when the heater 80 is turned on, etc.

In use, fluid drawn into the primary fluid flow path 400 by operation of the fan unit 70 is optionally heated by the heater 80 and expelled from the primary fluid outlet 440. The treated fluid causes fluid to be entrained into the fluid flow path 300 at the fluid inlet 320. The fluid joins the treated fluid at the second end 34 of the body. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the treated fluid exits the primary fluid outlet 440 and the hairdryer as an annular fluid that surrounds the entrained fluid exiting the hairdryer through the fluid outlet 340. Thus, the fluid handled by the fan unit and the heater is enhanced by the entrained fluid.

Referring now to fig. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the ionization system includes

ion generating electrodes

370, 374, which in this embodiment include a high voltage wire 374 and an ionization pin 370. The ionization pin, which in this embodiment is formed of stamped sheet metal (e.g., steel), is connected to a high voltage wire 374 via a connector, and the high voltage wire 374 is connected to a negative ion generator 376, which in this embodiment is housed in the PCB baffle 700.

The ionizing pin 370 extends along an outer periphery of the heater 80, particularly the heater 80 including the outer wall 180, and the ionizing pin 370 extends along the outer surface 180a of the outer wall 180 from the upstream end 80a of the heater 80 to the downstream end 80b of the heater. At the downstream end 80b of the heater 80, the ionizing pin 370 extends radially inward of the outer wall 180 of the heater 80. The ionizing pin 370 has two portions, a first portion 370a extending along the outer wall 180 of the heater 80, and a second portion 370b intersecting the first portion and extending across the downstream end 80b of the heater 80.

At the distal end 370c of the ionization needle 370, which is distal to the connector 370, the ionization needle is shaped to form a sharp point from which anions are emitted when the ionization system is activated. Thereby, ions are emitted into the fluid stream exiting the heater 80.

To properly and repeatably position the ionizing needle 370 in the fluid flow path 400, the ionizing needle is constrained proximate to the downstream end of the first portion 370a, or proximate where the first portion 370a joins the second portion 370 b.

The inner wall 260 extends radially around the downstream end of the heater 80. The inner wall 260 has a pair of

lips

262, 264 that extend toward the heater 80, into which the outer wall 180 of the heater 80 is inserted. The radially inner surface 260 of the inner wall 260a directs fluid exiting from the heater 80 to the fluid outlet 440.

The radially outer lip 262 extends along the outer surface 180a of the outer wall 180 and includes a recess or cutout 378 for receiving an ionization needle 370 downstream of the recess or cutout 378, the ionization needle 370 being bent through substantially 90 ° to form a second portion 370b and extending radially inward of the inner wall 260, across the lower surface of the heater 80 and in the fluid flow path 400. When the first portion 370a is recessed in the recess or cutout 378a, the ionization needle 370 is properly positioned.

The ionization system is also constrained upstream of the connector 372, where the high voltage wires 374 are held within the channels 710 provided in the PCB baffle 700. The channel 710 extends from the downstream end 700b of the PCB baffle 700. At the upstream end 710a of the channel 710, the high voltage electrical lines 374 are directed to the ionization generator 376, which is electrically connected to the PCB 75.

At least one retention post 712 is provided that retains the high voltage wires 374 as the high voltage wires 374 extend around the outer periphery of the PCB baffle 700 to the ionizer 376. This is useful during manufacture because the electrical wires are protected when the parts of the hairdryer are assembled.

In the described embodiment, the ionizing pin is shaped to form a sharp point from which ions are emitted, as one skilled in the art will appreciate that the sharp point may be centered or formed on one side of the pin. Indeed, alternative emitters may be used, such as carbon fibres attached to the discharge end of the needle.

In the described embodiment the connector is upstream of the heater, but this is not essential and it is advantageous that there is a small gap between the heater and the outer wall when the flat conductive pin is used, as the flat conductive pin has a lower profile than the high voltage wire.

The invention has been described in detail in relation to a hairdryer but is applicable to any appliance which draws in fluid and directs it out of the appliance.

The fluid flowing through the appliance is typically air, but may be a different combination of one or more gases, and may include additives for enhancing the performance of the appliance or the effect of the appliance on the object to which the output is directed, such as hair and the hairstyle of the hair.

The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, the heater may be a conventional heater, which is trapezoidal in shape, wound around a frame formed in a cross shape.

Claims

1. A hairdryer comprising an ionisation system and a heater, wherein the ionisation system comprises an ion generating electrode and the ion generating electrode has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending along a first axis and the second portion being substantially orthogonal to the first axis, wherein the first portion extends along an outer periphery of the heater and the second portion extends radially inwardly from the outer periphery of the heater, wherein the hairdryer further comprises an inner wall adapted to hold a downstream end of the heater in place in the hairdryer and the inner wall comprises a recess for receiving the ion generating electrode.

2. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ion generating electrode extends along the heater to a downstream end of the heater.

3. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ion generating electrode extends along the heater from an upstream end thereof.

4. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater is generally cylindrical and the ion generating electrode extends along a radially outer surface of the heater.

5. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater is surrounded by a wall and the ion generating electrode extends along an outer periphery of the wall.

6. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ionising system comprises an ionizer and the ion generating electrodes comprise high voltage electrical wires extending from the ionizer.

7. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ion generating electrode comprises a flat conductive pin.

8. Hair dryer according to claim 1,

the ionization system includes an ionizer; and

the ion generating electrode includes a high voltage wire extending from the ionizer; a flat conductive pin; and a connector for connecting the flat conductive pin to a high voltage wire.

9. A hairdryer according to claim 8, wherein the connector is located at or near an upstream end of the heater.

10. A hairdryer according to claim 8, wherein the heater is surrounded by a wall and the connector is located at or near an upstream end of the wall.

11. A hairdryer according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall comprises an aperture through which the ionising needle projects.

12. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ion generating electrode comprises a first portion extending along the first axis and the first portion extends along an outer periphery of the heater to a recess in the inner wall.

13. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ionising needle has a second portion which extends radially inwardly from the outer and inner walls of the heater through the aperture.

14. A hairdryer as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first and second portions are formed from flat conductive pins.

15. A hairdryer according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the ionising needle comprises a third portion which extends from the ionizer to the first portion.

16. A hairdryer according to claim 15, wherein the third portion comprises a high voltage electrical cord.